sobbing profusely

USAGE SUMMARY

'sobbing profusely' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase that conveys the idea of someone crying loudly and uncontrollably. Example: After being given the devastating news, John fell to his knees and began sobbing profusely.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Minutes after fatigue consumes you, you'll be face down in something (hopefully soft) like a rug or bed comforter, sobbing profusely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

President Nixon sobbed openly, profusely, and at times uncontrollably during the ceremony.

Wikipedia

Before the judge could finish explaining his decision, Tita interjected, thanking him profusely and sobbing.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hochfelder took the witness stand for about 15 minutes, apologizing profusely and sobbing at one point.

The New York Times

Stop sobbing.

The New York Times

The sobbing.

The New Yorker

Just sobbing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He hears Orrin sobbing.

The New Yorker

Another defendant is sobbing.

The New York Times

She walked away sobbing.

The New York Times

I began sobbing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sobbing profusely" to emphasize the intensity and unrestrained nature of someone's crying, suggesting a deep emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "sobbing profusely" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound overly dramatic. Opt for more restrained language like "weeping" or "expressing grief" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sobbing profusely" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the action of crying intensely. As noted by Ludwig AI, this implies unrestrained and often loud crying, showing deep emotion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sobbing profusely" describes intense, unrestrained crying, indicating deep emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. While "sobbing profusely" isn't extremely common, appearing primarily in News & Media, its use effectively conveys the depth of emotion. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context, as it may be too dramatic for highly formal settings. Alternatives like "crying uncontrollably" or "weeping copiously" can offer a similar meaning with varying levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sobbing uncontrollably

Similar to "crying uncontrollably", but specifically uses the term "sobbing".

crying uncontrollably

Focuses on the lack of control during crying.

weeping copiously

Uses a more formal term for crying ("weeping") and emphasizes the abundance of tears.

crying heavily

Emphasizes the intensity of the crying.

bursting into tears

Highlights the sudden onset of crying.

breaking down in tears

Indicates an emotional collapse leading to crying.

shedding copious tears

Highlights the abundance of tears shed.

crying one's eyes out

Idiomatic expression indicating prolonged and intense crying.

bawling one's eyes out

Similar to "crying one's eyes out", but with a stronger emphasis on loud, unrestrained crying.

crying a river of tears

Hyperbolic expression emphasizing the excessive amount of tears shed.

FAQs

How can I use "sobbing profusely" in a sentence?

You can use "sobbing profusely" to describe someone crying intensely and uncontrollably. For example, "After hearing the news, she collapsed and began "sobbing profusely"".

What are some alternatives to "sobbing profusely"?

Alternatives include "crying uncontrollably", "weeping copiously", or "crying heavily". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "sobbing profusely" a formal or informal expression?

"Sobbing profusely" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. While understandable in most contexts, it might be too emotive for highly formal writing.

What does "profusely" mean in the context of "sobbing profusely"?

In "sobbing profusely", "profusely" means to a great degree or in large amounts. It emphasizes the intensity and abundance of tears and sounds involved in the act of sobbing.